KUCHING: The Sarawak government has set up 27 Activity Centres for Senior Citizens because the state has an ageing society.
“These centres are capable of accommodating 70,500 residents, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
“The provision of a more conducive ecosystem and infrastructure gives senior citizens a place to spend their free time so that they remain active and productive.
“In these centres, senior citizens will have the opportunity to share knowledge, experience, skills and values and make more friends,” he added in his speech at the Welfare Micro Entrepreneur Day (HUMK) and OKU Day organised by the Social Welfare Department (JKM) at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Thursday (Nov 11).
The deputy chief minister said the state government had also implemented three initiatives such as Senior Citizens Assistance (BWE), Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC) and Death Compassion Assistance.
He said under the BWE assistance, the government had spent RM96.9 million to benefit 19,271 eligible senior citizens from January to October. He added, for the Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC), a total of 193,116 KGCs have been distributed since 2020.
“As of October 31, a total of 320 vendors throughout Sarawak have agreed to be strategic partners of KGC.
“Therefore, I hope that more companies will participate in this programme to fulfil their corporate social responsibility (CSR) and not only focus on urban areas but also small towns and rural areas,” he added.
Awang Tengah added that the KGC cardholders’ next of kin could also apply for assistance of RM3,000 for funeral purposes. As of October 31, a total of RM13.6 million had been channelled to 4,542 beneficiaries, he said.
The deputy chief minister pointed out that inclusive policies introduced by the state government had ensured the well-being of the masses and promoted economic prosperity and sustainable environment.
These, he said, were also outlined and implemented through the Sarawak Post Covid-19 (PCDS) strategy which set out to transform Sarawak as a developed state by 2030.
“Through the Ministry of Welfare, Community Well-being, Women, Family and Child Development, there are many initiatives and programmes implemented that benefit the B40 group and the less fortunate, including children with special needs.
“In fact, we are fortunate because the Sarawak government is able to provide sufficient allocation to implement these initiatives and welfare programmes in Sarawak,” he said.
